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2010 NCHA CONVENTION OREGON
DIRECTOR REPORT. 22 June 2010.
The NCHA Convention was held in
Grapevine, TX June 18,19,20. All four of the Oregon
Directors were present and accounted for including Tom
Arlint, Jim Cox, Ron Davis and Jack Holt. It is worthy
of note that the four Washington Directors were there
also, making Area 1 the only one I’m aware of with 100%
attendance.
Region 1 has been quite active in
the national picture and Area 1 is right in the middle
of the Region 1 efforts. The Oregon Directors split up
and hit most of the committee meetings with the
objective of knowing What Is Going On (WIGO) and getting
relevant comments expressed on your behalf prior to
committee deliberations.
The committee actions and
recommendations on agenda items will be available to you
on the NCHA web site this week. I will try to summarize
things you may want to access and pass on things that
may not be part of the official agenda.
The Finance Committee, of which I
am a member, met the day prior, June 18, 2010. This is
a sharp, knowledgeable and informed group. The Chair,
Terry Strange, and NCHA CFO Rick Ivey are truly
knowledgeable and professional. We received a report
from Frost Bank that manages the association funds.
This conservatively invested $7.7M portfolio has
performed well in this environment with a very
reasonable management expense. The auditors from
Whitley-Penn found processes to be first rate and they
found no material 2009 corrections to be made. The
NCHA financial statements are available to you on the
internet. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to
ask.
A review of financial performance
was made of the Eastern Area Championships and the Super
Stakes. The new format for the Eastern Area
Championships (EAC) shows a major improvement with the
dramatically increased entries. The Western Area
Championships were not completed yet, but these two will
be reviewed to monitor their progress toward break
even. EAC results were within an eye-lash of being
there.
The Director’s meeting included a
discussion of the Paula Gaughn vs. NCHA lawsuit. A
point of interest is that 89,000 documents were
delivered in 41 boxes to the plaintiffs for their
review. The first trial resulted in a verdict in favor
of NCHA and a judgment for a portion of the legal fees
incurred by NCHA. The verdict was appealed and
arguments were heard in appellate court last week. The
decision of the court of appeals is expected between 2
weeks and 6 months. Some of the issues raised in a
letter sent out by the plaintiff to NCHA members were
discussed as well, including the salaries issue. First,
the amount referenced in the financial report to the
membership in 2008 was the base salary with no bonus or
attributed compensation included. Second, the total
amount in 2008 included bonus carried over from a prior
year due to a difference in fiscal year ends.
The primary issue remains one of
confidentiality of specific items rather than access to
or a withholding of any requested information. The NCHA
will not approve shows produced by the plaintiff or at
location(s) owned and managed by the plaintiff until the
lawsuit is ended and any judgments have been satisfied.
Rule 6(m). It is the desire of NCHA that once this
action has been concluded shows will resume at this
venue.
Saturday the 19th at the
crack of dawn, the Cattle and Horse Welfare Committee,
of which I am a member, met to formalize a plan to be
considered by the Executive Committee for
implementation. If there is one conclusion to be drawn
here, it is that NCHA is serious about an effective drug
and medication program. The question is what it will
look like, not will we have a comprehensive one. Here
are some key points:
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An immediate addition will be made to the current
rule. No drug paraphernalia will be permitted in
the working area.
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There have been some excellent and well respected
sources of information that have been researched.
The non-inclusive list of veterinarians includes Dr.
Jerry Black, Dr. Lane Easter, Dr. Van Snow
(deceased), Dr. Maben Thompson, and Dr. Charley
Buchanan. The AQHA is the lead for the performance
horse industry and will set the pattern. While
there may be some specific differences for the
different disciplines, the effort is to have all be
essentially the same except for a supportable
difference.
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Speakers at an afternoon seminar included some great
sources from speakers that have been involved in the
drug and medication nationally and internationally.
The “Equine Welfare in the Performance Horse
Industry” included a review of the initiative by Dr.
Jerry Black, Dr. Jim Heird, Texas A+M University,
College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical
Services, Dr. Wayne McIlwraith, Colorado State
University, Equine Orthopedic Research Center, and
Dr. Stephen Schumacher, Chief Administrator of Drugs
& Medication at United States Equine Federation (USEF).
FYI. Dr. Black is leaving his practice and breeding
operation in CA and joining the teaching staff at
Colorado State University.
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The first testing is being proposed for 2011 at NCHA
events. The first will be a blind test that will
take samples without identifying the horse. The
tests will show what drugs are being used and
provide direction in the final proposal. The second
test will I.D. horses and notices will be sent, but
there will be no penalties. The plan is tentatively
scheduled for full implementation in CY 2012.
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The final proposal will include criteria for random
testing. Shows will be randomly selected as well as
horses at those shows. Triple Crown events may be
selected automatically.
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Charges on a per/entry basis for all NCHA shows will
most probably be part of the final proposal to fund
the testing program.
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International testing for racing and most
international disciplines is moving to 0 tolerance
policy.
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Public perception is key and will balance, or take
precedent, over inter-industry thinking or opinion.
Will people use drugs without
testing and sanctions? Consider this survey of Olympic
level athletes taken a few years ago. These two
questions were asked of the same group of athletes.
Question: If taking an illegal
drug could go undetected and would help you win an
Olympic event, would you take it? Answer: 100% YES.
Question: If taking an illegal
drug would kill you in 3 years but would help you win an
Olympic event, would you take it? Answer: 50% YES.
(It appears the desire to win at
all costs is very strong.)
Seven Constitutional Amendments
were presented with only one failing…unfortunately. The
one that failed was the following: “Beginning in 2011,
no nominee for Vice-President can be from the same
Region as the individual who is presently serving as
Vice-President.” This may be proposed through the Long
Range Planning Committee for 2011. The Amendments
requiring the approval of the Executive Committee or
Board of Directors for approval and commitment to
contracts or agreements binding on NCHA; the duties and
powers of the Executive Director shall be through the
Executive Committee (strike the singular authority of
the President); add Executive Committee to powers of the
Board to remove officers for misconduct; formalizing the
direction of the PAC through the Executive Committee
and/or Board; and the requirement of the appointment of
at least one member from each of the 8 Regions to all
standing committees (except the Finance and Stallion
Owners Committees) passed.
A couple of West Coasters were
inducted into the Open Rider Hall of Fame at the
Saturday night gala. David Costello and Gavin Jordan
both went over the $1M mark to qualify. Also, a news
flash…the leading sire for 2009 was High Brow Cat. The
leading freshman sire was Cat Ichi and the leading dam
was Oxbow Ranch’s Chers Shadow. Affiliate of the year
was Region 1’s own Western States CHA represented by
President Todd Adolf.
The Secretaries and Affiliates
Committee made a recommendation to change the bonding
requirements for non-affiliates to the anticipated
amount owed NCHA. They would also like to see a quick
way to access Apprentice Trainer status.
The Amateur Committee discussed a 3
year trial for the $1,000 Amateur and will recommend the
proposal to the Executive Committee. (Low entry fee, no
added $)
Judges Rules Committee had many
discussions about enforcement of the 1 – 2 minute clock
between works and the 150 horse rule vs. time limit in
the stand (fines were favored rather than a penalty of
reduction of 2 ½ minutes). More work to do on these
two. Having judges NOT sign their cards and ELIMINATING
the deep cut rule was discussed but went nowhere. FYI.
There are a total of 370 judges today. 167 have been
there 9 years or longer.
Limited Age Events Committee
discussed (as they seem to do every year) showing a
gelding only as a third horse at the Derby Summer
Spectacular. Lack of enthusiasm. A proposal to make
any person with Amateur status at age 60 a lifetime
eligible Amateur was NOT recommended.
Long Range Planning will suggest a
requirement that the President confer with State
Directors before making appointments for unfilled
Director terms. Also, they will formalize requests by
CHAs for affiliate status.
Promotion and Development Committee
encourages contact by affiliates with the NCHA office in
aid of marketing and promotions. Utilizing the media is
another area that NCHA may be of assistance.
Trainers Committee discussed
eligibility requirements for the John Deere Division of
the Open class at Triple Crown events (no Hall of Famers
eligible). The use of helmets in lieu of western hats
was also up for discussion. Tentatively, youth only.
The 150 rule vs. time in the stand was also discussed.
The distinction between the NCHA as
a 501C5 agricultural not-for-profit and the CIA Charity
Foundation as a 501C3 was made. There will be increased
emphasis on fund raising through the Foundation. These
monies can be used for a variety of educational and
other member benefits.
Nice touch for new Directors. They
had a reception to meet officers and staff Friday
evening.
A proposal to keep the Convention
in Fort Worth was presented on Sunday. The vote of
Directors was to continue having the Convention in Fort
Worth on even years and other locations on odd years.
The conventions odd years are to be alternated between
east and west of the Mississippi River. Next year will
be Charlotte, NC or possibly Hot Springs, AR.
Keep the suggestions coming.
Respectfully submitted,
Jack Holt, OR Director
Cl 541-420-8585 Hm
541-382-5195
jackholt@uci.net
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